Hunger and Jess Tighten Grip

505 World Championship

Malmo

Wolfgang HUNGER and Holger JESS of Germany stamped their authority on the 505 fleet with first place in Races 4 and 5 of the nine race series.

Monday presented a different challenge for the fleet as the wind came from the north west, completely the opposite direction to the first two days. However, although the breeze was steadier and more even across the course, the fleet had to contend with an exceptionally strong current flowing towards the Baltic through the Oresund.

Having replaced the mast broken in a collision in the previous race, the early leaders of Race 4 were Ian PINNELL and Steve HUNT of Great Britain. However, although showing good pace in the 12 - 14 knot breeze, by the second lap they were under pressure from Hunger and Jess who slipped inside at the gybe mark and proceeded to power through to the finish. Pinnell and Hunt were second ahead of another German team, Claas LEHMANN and Martin SCHOELLER. Krister BERGSTROM and Johan BARNE of Sweden were fourth.

For Race 5 the wind had dropped but the current increased, which contributed to three aborted starts before the pathfinder, crewed by Brett Van MUNSTER and Andy PETCH of Australia, was finally was able to complete a clear run and get the fleet away. First to show were the Danes, Hans Joergen RIBER and Henrik BUHL, followed by Bergstom/ Barne and, inevitably by Hunger and Jess. By astute work on the first offwind leg, the Germans gained the lead and were never headed. The need to have regard to the current meant that windshifts became of secondary importance, making the race rather processional, with only limited place changing. Riber and Buhl demonstarted their liking for the lighter conditions by recording second place, with Berstrom and Barne third and Dan THOMPSON and Andy ZINN of the USA in fourth.